Avicenna Journal of Dental Research
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Jan 2010

Dental caries,a progressive bacterial damage to teeth, is one of the most common diseases that affects 95% of the population and is still a major cause of tooth loss. Unfortunately, there is currently no highly sensitive and specific clinical means for its detection in its early stages. The accurate detection of early caries in enamel would be of significant clinical value. Since, it is possible to reverse the process of decay therapeutically at this stage, i.e. operative intervention might be avoided. Caries diagnosis continues to be a challenging task for the dental practitioners. Researchers are developing tools that are sensitive and specific enough for the current presentation of caries. These tools are being tested both in vitro and in vivo; however, no single method will allow detection of caries on all tooth surfaces. Therefore, the purpose of the present review was to evaluate different caries diagnostic methods.

Statement of the problem: In order to replace lost tooth of patients, we use dental implants which are common. Therefore, accurate measuring of bone height and width before placing implants is necessary. The aim of this study is evaluating the accuracy of linear and spiral tomography in careful determination of implant site sizes in comparison with gold standard (CBCT). This study is survey of methods and in it, the height and width of regions in maxilla and 8 regions of mandible were measured in two dimensions of bone height and width in a dry skull using linear and spiral tomography. Then, this skull was scanned using CBCT and real sizes of required distances specified on bone cross-section and compared with spiral and linear tomographic sections. Regarding differences in recorded amounts in measurement of every region (by each of imaging systems), one-way ANOVA statistical test showed no significant differences in accuracy of imaging systems in comparison with each other (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in system accuracy by height and width. Spiral tomography, in comparison with gold standard (CBCT) resulted in overestimations for measurements of upper and lower jaws. However; linear tomography underestimated (in comparison with CBCT data) the measurements of the lower jaw. Although accuracy of linear and spiral tomography is not same with CBCT in determining size of jaw bone, dental tomography could be used in the study of cross-section of short edentulous regions.

Statement of the problem: Delayed loading is one of the anxieties of implant patients. Immediate loading can solve the problem and make patients more satisfied. The present study was aimed to compare the marginal bone level in periapical radiographs of maxi implants under different loading (immediate and delayed) patterns. This split mouth experimental study included 2 dogs. Impressions were made and then, all premolars were extracted under general anesthesia. After a three month healing period, 3 implants were inserted in each quadrant (24 implants). Anterior and posterior implants (case group) were splinted by an acrylic temporary bridge. In order to make middle implants (control group) off the occlusion, parallel long cone technique was used to assess the marginal bone level at base line and 42 days post loading. Data were analyzed using t- test (α=0.05). Mean bone loss values for the case and the control groups were respectively -0.52±0.53 and -0.44±0.40 (P=0.667). Within the limitations of the present study, it may be concluded that immediate loading has negative effect on implant bone loss and delayed loading protocol is supported.

Statement of the problem: This study was designed to investigate the complications after surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Patients and Six Hundreds and ninety eight lower third molars among 450 patients surgically extracted by general dentists from April 2005 to April 2006 were selected for this study. Data were recorded by completing questionnaires regarding post surgical complications based on the documents of patients. Data were coded and statistically analyzed by Chi-Square and T-student tests. Pain was the most common complication (28.5%) and mandibular fracture was a rare complication (0.04%). In relation to the angulation of the teeth, this study showed that horizontally angled molars posed the most complications. Results showed that pain was the most common complication and mandibular fracture was the rarest. Prediction of operative difficulty before the extraction of the lower third molars allows a design of treatment that minimizes the risk of complications.

Statement of the problem: Early detection of periodontal disease and distruction is important for prevention of further destruction of the tissues. We carried out this study to determine the normal cement enamel junction (CEJ) to alveolar bone crest (ABC) distance in the interproximal area of primary molars on bitewing (B. W) radiographs in healthy 7-9 year old girls living in Hamadan, Iran. Four hundred healthy 7-9 year old junior school girls with no clinical evidence of dental caries, diastema and fillings in intermolar areas (D, E) were selected by cluster method and 800 bitewing radiographs were taken and examined. From 3200 measurements, only 2582 sites were included in the study. The mean cementoenemal junction- alveolar bone crest distance of all primary teeth was 1.1 mm. 7.7% of the total examined surfaces showed distances of greater than 2mm indicating the prevalence of alveolar bone loss. The mean distances measured in the maxilla were greater than the mandible which was statistically significant (P<0.05). This study provides useful base line data on alveolar bone height in assessment by radiographical examination. It is important to establish proper diagnostic measurements to identify patients at risk and further studies are recommended

Statement of the problem: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) include a wide range of diseases such as masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders among patients who referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Shaheed Beheshti Dental School, Iran, 2007-2008. Methods and Materials: The study was a descriptive survey performed through filling the questionnaire by observation, interview and examination. The study population consisted of all patients who referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Shaheed Beheshti Dental School during 2007 and 2008. One thousand over 12 year old patients were inspected. Determinants of the study were age, sex, TMJ muscular pain, limitations in opening, presence of clicking and crepitus, type of occlusion and occlusal interferences. Among the study population, 91% showed at least one temporomandibular disorder sign and symptom.The prevalence of Temporomandibular disorders was more common in women (61%) compared to men (39%). TMDs prevalence in different age groups was 29.4% in fewer than 27year olds, 40.1% in 27-45, and 30.5% in over 45 year olds. The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders was high in the study population especially in women and middle aged patients.

Statement of the problem: Some studies reveal that pregnancy can be considered to be a risk factor for Periodontal disease, due to increased levels of estrogens and progesterone. Propose of this study was to determine oral health changes during pregnancy, using the Community Periodontal Index for Treatment needs (CPITN). Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 95 pregnant women and 102 non-pregnant ones, matched in term of age, as control. The participants were examined, using CPITN probe, and the data were recorded in a standard questionnaire. The different codes of CPITN were determined according to the WHO recommendations. Furthermore, the incidence of inflammation, pocket and plaque index was assessed. All the data from two groups were compared statistically by Chi-Square test. Pregnant women exhibited more significant need for advanced periodontal treatment compared to non-pregnant ones (33.7% and 26.5% respectively. P<0.0001). Seventy-three and half percent of control women demonstrated no need for periodontal treatment but 41.5% of pregnant women needed periodontal treatment 56.8% of pregnant women showed gingival inflammation but only 44.1% of controls exhibited this phenomenon. Furthermore, pregnant women exhibited signs of pocket formation more than controls (47.4% and 38.2%, respectively, P<0.05) Under the study limitations, during the pregnancy the susceptibility of the pregnant women to gingival inflammation and periodontal disease increase, and of course, significant increase in values of periodontal treatment may (CPTTN codes) is observed during gestation.

We herein report a case of ventral side of tongue lipoma in a 60-year old man who referred to our department with a mass at the right ventral side of his tongue that had existed there for an unknown period of time. Clinical examination revealed a yellowish nodular lesion measuring 1 cm in diameter. Histological examination showed mature adipocytes and varying size vessels between lobules of the adipocytes. The lesion was excised surgically and no recurrence was observed after 1 year of follow up.